Molestation: Obinagu Amangwu Community Cries To Gov Ugwuanyi, Human Rights Commission
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The people of Obinagu community in Enugu east local government area of
Enugu state yesterday called on Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, National
Human Rights Commission and civil society organizations to intervene
on an alleged attack on the community by their neighbours Amokpo
community before it develops into a communal crisis.
Mr Alex Okoh, president general of the community, said, “On 7th May
2018, around 11am, some men from Amokpo molested our men and women,
and whisked some men away in their cars. They came in four cars. When
our women protested to the state police headquarters, the state police
commissioner ordered an immediate investigation. When the attackers
heard that the police were coming, they hurriedly brought their
captives to the station. Police from D7 Division later arrested the
protesting women and detained them for two days before they were
granted bail.”
It was gathered that the attackers claimed that Obinagu Amangwu people
destroyed their buildings, an allegation the victims claimed was
stage-managed. Some people identified among the attackers were Paul
Nwoga, chairman, Power of Attorney of Amokpo Community; Chimezie
Ugwuagbo, Sunday Ugwuegbu and Cyril Nwaka.
Those that were allegedly wounded include Sunday Agbo, assistant
secretary of Obinagu Amangwu Community; Lawrence Ekete and Onyedika
Ugwu.
The two communities have been embroiled in land disputes. An elder of
Obinagu Amangwu, Raphael Ngwu, told newsmen that, “The matter is in
court, and we have been pleading with Amokpo people to allow the court
to determine the true owners of the disputed land.”
However, one of the accused, Paul Nwoga, said, “It is a lie. We have
our security report. Nothing like that happened. Nobody was bundled
into any car. Nobody was wounded. But youths of the community recently
burnt people’s machines and destroyed people’s buildings. Let them
continue to peddle rumours.”
Efforts to speak with the state’s police public relations officer DSP
Ebere Amarizu failed at press time.